Lawsuit challenges officers' use of force
Filed in U.S. District Court in Eugene, Oregon, the suit names the City of Albany, Officers Matt Thomas and Engle Diaz, Benton County and county probation officer Joshua Hall as defendants. It alleges that the two officers used excessive force, committed battery and acted negligently, violating Lyon's Fourth Amendment rights.
Lyon's attorneys argue that police fired without first identifying who posed the threat. Benton County District Attorney Ryan S. Joslin reached a different conclusion in the criminal review, clearing the officers of wrongdoing. He said they had only fractions of a second to act and an "objectively reasonable belief" that shooting was necessary, while describing the outcome as "an absolute tragedy."
Alicia LeDuc Montgomery of Stritmatter Law and Jesse Merrithew of Levi Merrithew Horst PC represent Lyon. "These officers failed to follow the most basic rules of professional policing from the moment they arrived at the Lyon home," Merrithew said in a statement.
A family warning before the hostage incident
Lyon was 21 and home for winter break from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, where he was a senior business major and standout lacrosse player. The confrontation took place at his family's North Albany home.
His brother, John "Dakota" Lyon, 27, had experienced drug abuse following a knee injury, according to The Seattle Times. Released from prison in November 2025 after an assault and weapons conviction, Dakota was on post-prison supervision. His parents had let him stay in a separate studio apartment within their home.
The lawsuit says the parents notified Benton County officials on Jan. 5 that Dakota had relapsed. A probation officer came to the home but did not detain him. Dakota subsequently left, returning the next morning and eating breakfast with Maverick.
During a phone conversation with their father, Dakota grew agitated, the complaint alleges. He grabbed Maverick with a kitchen knife, announced that he was holding him hostage and claimed that people wanted to kill him. Maverick first begged to be released, then tried to reassure Dakota that he was on his side. He also took a knife to protect himself, according to the suit.
Unable to reach Maverick by phone, their father viewed Ring footage and saw Dakota pointing a knife at him. He called 911 at 10:48 a.m. and reportedly gave dispatchers a way to distinguish the brothers: Dakota was shirtless and in pajama pants; Maverick had on a long-sleeved gray shirt.
Disputed actions outside the home
The complaint alleges that responding officers neither coordinated adequately nor used the clothing descriptions to identify the hostage. Footage shows an officer approaching the back door and reporting that a man inside still had a knife.
According to the suit, Maverick mouthed "Help me!" through a window, then opened the door, dropped his knife and ran out with both hands extended. An officer deployed a Taser before police fired.
The lawsuit attributes two shots to Thomas and five to Diaz. It alleges Diaz continued shooting after Maverick had dropped the knife and collapsed into a fetal position, facing away from police. Maverick was struck five times.
Dakota remained in the doorway with his knife while his brother lay wounded outside. He could be heard shouting, "Oh my God. What are you doing?" Maverick told police, "You guys shot the wrong guy - he was holding me hostage." He also said, "I can't move, you guys shot me."
The complaint further alleges that officers ordered the bleeding Lyon onto his stomach and handcuffed him rather than immediately treating him. The Albany Police Department gave a different account at the time, saying officers "immediately rendered medical aid until emergency personnel arrived."
Surgery, recovery and Dakota's sentence
At Samaritan Corvallis General Hospital, Lyon underwent an emergency operation lasting eight hours. Surgeons removed half of his right lung, along with his spleen and appendix, and extensively reconstructed his digestive system. His hospital stay lasted a month.
The injuries kept him out of the spring semester and his senior lacrosse season. He has returned to the sport, though his attorneys say he still needs facial and reconstructive surgery.
Dakota pleaded guilty to attempted kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion. In June 2026, he received a Benton County sentence of 77 months, or six years and five months, in state prison, with two years of supervision to follow. He told the court he wished the bullets had hit him instead of his brother.
Lyon's parents back the civil suit and are seeking accountability. His father said he summoned police to protect Maverick, but they "ended up nearly taking his life."
